Good Evening,
Happy first day of “Stay Home, Stay Safe.” I’m sure most of you are aware of Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order issued yesterday, which effectively extends the school closure through April 13, 2020. Many of you have questions about how this will impact our efforts to educate our students during the period of the closure. The purpose of this communication is to reinforce the objectives of the WLPS Enrichment and Review activities we’ve been working on to keep our students engaged in the learning process during the school closure.
At the high school level, one of our immediate concerns is guiding students through Advanced Placement (AP) coursework. Our AP teachers have been corresponding with students electronically about how to best prepare during the shutdown and what review resources the students should be using. (Parents of AP students, please review this letter for more information on the changes announced by the College Board.) Additionally, teachers reached out directly to all students in grades 9-12 with a variety of content-specific enrichment opportunities to enhance learning. High school students are encouraged to continue to connect with their teachers through teacher websites, Google Classroom, email, or Remind messages.
Students in grades K-8 will have opportunities to engage with enrichment and review materials through Google Classroom or through direct emails from their teachers to parents. Additionally, WLPS is exploring the use of Choice Boards and actual worksheet packets, which will blend the online work with paper and pencil activities in an effort to reduce screen time.
Speaking of computers – I am asking one WLPS parent/guardian per household to complete the following survey found HERE. WLPS is capable of expanding its online enrichment and review, but we need to know what resources our families have or don’t have in their homes. Please take time to complete it as soon as possible.
While schools are still awaiting comprehensive guidance concerning the state’s expectation for continued instruction while school is not physically in session, I want to reassure you that this does not mean we won’t work to address students’ learning needs. Teachers will continue to provide work that focuses on review and enrichment. Special Education staff will be corresponding with families and students individually to determine the most appropriate method of support. However, the way we address these needs may change depending upon future decisions of the Governor, the Michigan Department of Education, and the Legislature.
For now, let me restate our intention to address learning and other student needs to the best of our ability no matter what the situation may be. Should you have questions about individual classes, please continue to direct those to teachers or to the school principal. With the current “Stay home” requirement, email is the best option for this type of communication. If you have a direct question that cannot be emailed, my direct number is 734-839-6300.
Together we will continue to work hard to make each day a great day to be a Trojan.
Tom DeKeyser
Superintendent, Whitmore Lake Public Schools
and
Principal, Whitmore Lake Middle/High School
Home of the Trojans
734.839.6300
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”
Statue of Liberty